Unitree's robotic monk 'Gabi' ordained in Seoul, South Korea

World

2026.05.08 11:30

A group of monks from the Jogye Order, the largest Buddhist sect in South Korea, sat facing a candidate awaiting an ordination ceremony—only this candidate was no person, but the first humanoid robot to take part in such a religious ritual. (AP)

At Jogyesa Temple in downtown Seoul, South Korea, cascading paper lanterns hang above the temple grounds. A group of monks from the Jogye Order, the largest Buddhist sect in South Korea, sat facing a candidate awaiting an ordination ceremony—only this candidate was no person, but the first humanoid robot to take part in such a religious ritual.

Reportedly, the robot, given the Buddhist name "Gabi," stands 130 centimeters tall. This week, dressed in a traditional gray-brown monastic robe, it stood before senior monks during a tonsure ceremony. When a monk asked if it wished to take refuge in Buddhism, the robot replied, "Yes, I vow to take refuge in Buddhism."

Local religious figures noted that ahead of the Buddha's Birthday celebrations, the appearance of the robotic monk marks an unusual intersection of Buddhism and AI.

Notably, the monastic robot is itself an outsider to Korean temples, with its prototype being Unitree's G1 robot. Equipped with powerful motion control and AI interaction capabilities, this model supports multiple configuration options.

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Tag:·South Korea·Jogyesa Temple·Unitree·ordination ceremony·G1 robot